Some of the coolest places to escape the heat at theme parks are inside the sit-down theater types of shows like Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room at Disneyland. (File photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Animation Academy, Disney California Adventure: OK, you’ll actually have to do a little work in here, but it’s a delight, being led by a Disney cast member through the easy-to-follow, step-by-step process of hand-drawing a Disney animated character. You keep your drawing as a free souvenir, too. (File photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Charles M. Schulz Theatre, Knott’s Berry Farm: With “Snoopy’s Magnificent Magical Revue,” Knott’s big theater is presenting a more traditionally staged magic show, in contrast with the ice show that typically runs in wintertime. But it’s still much cooler in here than outside. (File photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, Disneyland: The original audio-animatronics production still charms visitors with its chanting totems, singing flowers and talking bird hosts. And the line to buy a Dole Whip is much shorter from inside the Tiki Room’s waiting area than outside on the Adventureland street. (File photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

“Frozen — Live at the Hyperion,” Disney California Adventure: Perhaps the most technically ambitious live show ever staged in a theme park, it provides an hour’s break from the California heat along with its impressive performances. The wait outside is more manageable now that the crowds have moved on to Guardians of the Galaxy next door. (Photo courtesy of The Disneyland Resort)

Gearworks Theater, Six Flags Magic Mountain: Now staging “Kwerk,” a “stylized circus” that plays like a scaled-down Cirque du Soleil-meets-Blue Man Group with a steampunk vibe. It’s a pleasant break in what typically is Southern California’s hottest park. (Photo courtesy of Six Flags Magic Mountain)

“Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln,” Disneyland: Walt Disney’s great history lesson continues to relieve, and sometimes inspire, weary Disneyland visitors in the Main Street Opera House. Take your time browsing the park history exhibits in the lobby, too. (File photo by Joshua Sudock, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Legoland 4D Theater, Legoland California: Now showing “Lego Nexo Knights: The Book of Creativity,” this theater in the Carlsbad park takes it easy on the in-theater effects but entertains kids with animated shows featuring the latest Lego franchises. (Photo courtesy of Legoland)

“Mystery Lodge,” Knott’s Berry Farm: The Native American storyteller has been around for years but continues to surprise visitors who haven’t yet seen the nifty Pepper’s Ghost visual effect at the end of the show. Pro tip: You can sit during the pre-show on a long bench at the back of the waiting area. (File photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)

“Shrek 4-D,” Universal Studios Hollywood: One of the better 4D theme park shows around, “Shrek” is retiring in August, as Universal prepares the theater for the arrival of “Kung Fu Panda” next year. (Photo courtesy of Universal Studios Hollywood)

“Special Effects Show,” Universal Studios Hollywood: A throwback to the “how’d they do that” shows that used to dominate the park, the highlight might be the setting of a stunt performer on fire … just to remind you of what it feels like when you go back outside in the summer heat. (Photo courtesy of Robert Niles)

It’s summer, and after one of the mildest springs in recent memory, the temperature is pushing 100 degrees — and beyond — again in parts of Southern California. And that means visitors to Disneyland and other theme parks in the area will be looking for a place to cool down.

Forget about water rides and their temporary relief that just leave you feeling icky and sticky afterward. What you really want on a scorching day is a dark, cool, still place to sit for a while. Here are 10 of the best attractions at local theme parks for summer relief.

And if you are planning a visit to Orlando this summer, the parks there offer an even more impressive collection of cool, dark shows, thanks to central Florida’s even higher temperatures, stifling humidity and daily afternoon thunderstorms.

In Orlando, I would recommend “The American Adventure” (Disney’s best animatronic show) and “Impressions de France” (the best theme park movie ever) at Epcot; “The Festival of the Lion King” and “Finding Nemo — The Musical” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom (two delightful live musical shows, though not quite as impressive as California Adventure’s “Frozen”); and Universal’s “Horror Make-up Show” at Universal Studios Florida (an even funnier show than Hollywood’s “Special Effects” production).

Join the Conversation

We invite you to use our commenting platform to engage in insightful conversations about issues in our community. Although we do not pre-screen comments, we reserve the right at all times to remove any information or materials that are unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent or otherwise objectionable to us, and to disclose any information necessary to satisfy the law, regulation, or government request. We might permanently block any user who abuses these conditions.

If you see comments that you find offensive, please use the “Flag as Inappropriate” feature by hovering over the right side of the post, and pulling down on the arrow that appears. Or, contact our editors by emailing moderator@scng.com.